The Heart's Discovery: The Hope Valley Saga, #1

By Amy McGuire

Anjaline Rodriguez thinks that mountain boy Gabriel Walker is a snob, even though she can't stop thinking about his fathomless eyes. Could he just be shy? Damian Vega could be trouble, but bad boys are hard to resist, especially when the good one seems like a judgmental know-it-all.

She thought her world had ended when her stepfather's job ripped her away from her friends and her dream of attending the prestigious Cotopaxi Academy back home in Quito, Ecuador. Anjaline goes from a tropical, densely populated Latin American city to a cold, drizzly Canadian village populated by three small families, complete with major culture shock. On top of being stuck in the middle of nowhere, she has no clue how to deal with two attractive boys.

Gabriel thinks the exotic Latina is too spoiled. He's never figured out how to talk to pretty girls anyway, and can't get rid of that stutter when he's nervous. It’s practically love at first sight. Gabriel knows he needs to tell her how he feels, but while he’s gathering his courage, Damian may just spoil everything. Will Anjaline return Gabriel’s feelings in time or will tragedy tear them apart before she has the chance?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy McGuire
• Release date: Jul 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781476342412

Book preview

~1~

Quito

Anjaline Rodriguez strolled into the front hall of the Mendez home, arm in arm with her best friend Claudia.  Both girls were dripping wet as they stepped lightly onto the trail of thick towels stretching from the front door to the bathroom. A flush of pleasure darkened fourteen-year-old Anjaline’s exotic complexion, a gift from her Spanish mother and the father who was sadly a distant, childhood memory.  I guess Señora Mendez remembers the mess we made last year. She smirked and stripped off her sopping socks and shoes.

We won the battle with Helena and Enrique at last! Anjaline punched the air above her head.

It doesn’t feel like a victory when I got as wet as them.  Look at me! I resemble a drowned rat! Claudia made a face and began vigorously rubbing her ebony hair.

Anjaline grinned and grabbed two more plastic bags full to bursting with colourful water balloons. I don’t know. I think you look like Cleopatra.  Reaching for a tissue she dabbed unsuccessfully at Claudia’s streaked mascara.

With a horrified gasp Claudia spun to the mirror. Satisfied her skin was once again blemish free she surveyed the room, her hands on her hips. With all these balloons we’re ready to start our own war. I don’t know how you talk me into filling them ahead of time every year. It would be so much more practical to fill them as needed.

Well, this time I think you’re right. It’s going to take a couple hours to use them all up. Anjaline stopped for a minute to set down her bags and give her dripping hair another rub with one of the plush towels. The expression, ‘opposites attract’ fitted them perfectly. Although born just shy of a month apart and of similar appearance, the two girls couldn’t be more different. All through grade school Claudia had been the level-headed one, helping Anjaline, the constant dreamer and more adventurous of the two, out of trouble more times than either cared to count.

Claudia chuckled, bringing Anjaline out of her reverie. With a regal toss of her head she extended a make-believe sceptre to her friend. "I’m not Cleopatra, but for today I am queen of the water balloon fights.  Come on, Anj.  We have a city to overthrow. With a tiny smirk she added, We better make the best of this while the Quito authorities are looking the other way."

Anjaline nodded and scooped up her bags with a flourish. Lead on, my Queen, she said, curtsying.

The two girls pranced out the door and giggled all the way down the narrow streets, eager for another round with their current nemeses.

At ten thousand feet above sea level, Quito's climate was warm all year round and one of the favourite traditions of the city’s bustling youth was the annual water balloon fight. The practice of throwing water balloons at locals and tourists alike during Carnaval was prohibited downtown in the old city by the Quito authorities. However, much to the delight of the young people, as long as no one complained no such rules existed on the outskirts. Anjaline and her friends were happy to exploit the opportunity provided by the lax rules and eager to enjoy the warm February day in Ecuador's landlocked capital.

For the evening festivities all the school age youth arrayed themselves in their most colourful dresses and shirts. Each year they made their own masks and slipped them on as the sun dipped at last beneath the Spanish Baroque-style cathedrals and ushered in the coolness of dusk. Excitement made Anjaline light-headed when at last she and Claudia rushed through the front door of the Mendez home and hurried into their party clothes.  She barely suppressed a giggle.  Quito threw the best festivals anywhere in her opinion and this evening would be no different.

While Claudia zipped up the back of Anjaline's deep green gown in front of the bathroom mirror Anjaline smoothed out the bodice, her heart pounding.  When their eyes met in the reflection she grinned.

Someday I'd like to be Reina. Imagine! For a whole year she gets her picture in all the papers, boys knocking on her door to see if she’ll date them and she gets a scholarship to Unidad Educativa La Moderna in Guayaquil-

-well, so long as you didn't get a swelled head. Ever since my sister Rita became Reina of Quito she's been acting all snobby. She's impossible to live with. You have no idea. She keeps going on and on about how she's one of the youngest queens ever, having almost finished grade nine and how only seniors get the honour.  Bladdity blah blah. Claudia sighed and turned back to the room but not before Anjaline caught her friend’s disgruntled expression.

Anjaline’s mind wandered as she fixed silver corkscrew earrings in her ears and stared dreamily at her reflection. She loved the food, music and dancing at Carnaval but none of it compared with her favourite part of the day; the Festival of Fruit and Flowers.  As part of the festival, a massive float sailed down the main street carrying the 'Reina' or Queen of Quito. The choosing of the Reina reminded her of the story of Cinderella her mother read to her as a small child. It would be so romantic to be crowned 'Reina', even if only for a day.

Pulled abruptly from her dream by Claudia’s hand on her shoulder, Anjaline laughed. You're jealous, that’s all. Tell you what; if we ever tied for Reina I'd step down and give you my place. She grabbed Claudia's hand to drag her out into the noisy cobblestone streets but was stopped short at the touch on her arm. She turned to look into the face of her closest and dearest friend.

Claudia squeezed her arm gently and smiled through ebony eyes welling with tears. Same goes, Anjie. Same goes. Look at me. You're turning me to mush. With a laugh she swiped at the tears and shook her head.

Anjaline chuckled and dragged her down the street toward the music, colour and general cacophony swallowing Quito’s old city. Come on, Queen Mush.  Let's go find your boyfriend. The sharp pinch on her arm caused her to yelp and pull away. Not wanting to be pinched again she carefully hid the laugh rising to the surface.

"José is not my boyfriend," Claudia muttered, a ghost of a smile flitting around her lips and shining in her eyes. The blush spreading across her heavily made-up cheeks was proof she hoped he would notice her someday soon.

The crowd parted for a moment and Anjaline spotted her cousin. With a chuckle she grasped Claudia’s arm and steered her in his direction. "Maybe not yet," she mumbled.

Anjaline’s cousin José Rodriguez stood off to the side with a group of his peers, tall and naturally tan with onyx hair falling into dreamy brown eyes.  He smiled as the girls approached, his gaze tracking Claudia. Anjaline coughed to disguise the laughter exploding from her chest as Claudia gave him a brilliant smile and his ears turned pink.

Hello, ladies. Care to join me for some food, festivities, and fun? His eyes twinkled with good humour.

Still practicing alliteration for the test you’re re-doing next week, huh? Positioning José between herself and Claudia, Anjaline threaded her arm through his and indicated her blushing friend should do the same.  She hoped she wasn’t being too obvious.

You’ve always been a smart-aleck. José smirked down at Anjaline who grinned and wiggled her eyebrows.

"That’s smart-Anjie.  And don’t you forget it."  She winked and José roared with laughter. Shaking his head he picked up the pace to guide them into the gathering crowd.

Much to the girls’ delight, José had saved a place for them near the head of the parade.  Here they had the best possible view. Soon they were in the thickest part of the exuberant crowd and conversation became all but impossible. The scent of llapingachos and fritatas filled the air; the mixture of hot, fried potato and sizzling pork attracting them as well as their fellow revellers to conveniently placed roadside stands. At Claudia`s insistence, José bought one frittata for each of them and the friends happily devoured them, grease dripping down their chins.

In the ever-present shadow of massive monasteries decorated with silver, gold, and fine wood carvings little boys rode high on sturdy shoulders. Wide-eyed little girls clung to bright, flowing skirts and viewed the parade sailing by. Tourists rubbed elbows with each other, standing on the feet of a population of people who had called Quito home since being granted their own Audiencia with Spain in the late 1500’s. A cheer rose from the crowd as ‘Taita Carnaval’ or ‘Father Carnaval’ appeared.  Amidst pomp and fanfare on a float covered with bottles of peach wine, oversized hibiscus, blackberries and giant loaves of bread, he tossed pouches of candy and toys into the street.  Anjaline chuckled softly to herself when José dashed into the mass of bodies and returned, holding a teddy bear aloft.  As he pressed it into her arms, Claudia squealed and pressed a kiss to José’s cheek.  He winked at Anjaline and she pretended to sneeze.  If she laughed now, she knew Claudia would be mortified.

By the time Anjaline had composed her features Taita Carnaval had passed by, and the other floats flowed on with a swirl of bright flowers, colourful flags and confetti.  Locals dressed in glittering figure-hugging costumes and exotic head dress strolled behind and a multitude of drums sounded everywhere.  Anjaline stood on tip-toe to catch a glimpse of her school’s acrobatic team and clapped her hands.  One girl she knew only a little waved and she waved back, her heart bursting with pride. 

The trumpets, panpipes and Samba beat drew both young and old into the festive dancing.  Anjaline tapped out the beat with her feet as yet another float appeared, this one sagging under the weight of fabricated Tropicbirds, Flamingos, Spoonbills, Nightjars, Motmots and Toucans. Boisterous shouts rose from the bystanders and participants as several dozen live Scarlet-hooded Barbets swooped down on the crowd.  Their fire-red feathers flashed in the sunlight as they rose and dived, their shrieks so piercing Anjaline had to cover her ears.

When at last the ‘Reina of Quito’ float arrived it was piled high with oversized apples, pears, blackberries, tropical fruit, exotic flowers and loaves of bread. Rita perched on a narrow platform ten feet above several dancing girls who wore exotic bird costumes in red and gold.  Her massive red wings were outspread and she shimmered from head to toe in a red and gold bikini.  With a headdress of gold foil placed in her ebony hair, she bore a striking resemblance to the Scarlet Macaw. A thin band of scarlet tail feathers cinched at her waist shook with her fervent movements.

What must it be like to be dressed in such an exotic costume and adored by everyone, even if only for a day? At choreographed intervals beautiful trills rang up and down the cobblestone streets. Anjaline glanced in her friend’s direction.  In light of the amazing presentation, might Claudia have changed her mind?  When the other girl stuck her tongue out at Rita, Anjaline stifled a giggle.

At the glint of mischief in Claudia’s eyes she froze in horror and her gaze fell to Claudia’s hand.  How had she managed to hide the contraband ammunition?  Too late, Anjaline opened her mouth but could only watch, helpless as a bright orange balloon sailed through the air toward The Queen of Quito float. The small water bomb barely missed Rita, bursting open on the ground a moment before the float’s front left tire ran over the broken pieces.

Anjaline’s relief was short-lived.  She intercepted the icy stare Rita aimed at Claudia.  A small shudder rippled up her spine and she backed away. Without looking at her friends, she melted into the crowd. When the policia discovered who had broken the rules, they would pass out fines. Anjaline didn’t intend to stick around and get into trouble. 

Hiding behind one of the many chapels in the area, Claudia and José began to laugh until tears streamed down their faces. Sliding in unison down the marble face, they clutched their sides, rocking with muffled hilarity. Anjaline shook her head and slid down the wall beside them, chuckling over Claudia’s actions and the near miss.

Di-did you see the expression on her face? Oh, it was priceless! Claudia swiped at the mirthful tears and leaned back against the wall to catch her breath.

That was quite possibly the stupidest and gutsiest thing I’ve ever seen you do, Claudia. José gazed down at her in awe.

Anjaline rolled her eyes at the expression of open admiration on José’s face. You know Rita’s going to make your life miserable now, don’t you?

Claudia’s grin was huge as she threw up her hands. So she makes my life the same as it’s always been for a few more months. This summer we’re all going to camp without her and in the fall we’re off to Cotopaxi Academy. Guayaquil will be miles away. She wiped her nails on her bodice and chuckled, her eyes dancing as she stood up again. Besides, it was totally worth it to knock her down a peg or two. I have never seen a more condescending, uppity queen. Ha!

José laughed as he stood and then helped Claudia and Anjaline to their feet. Releasing Anjaline’s hand he grabbed Claudia to spin her around and planted a quick kiss on her lips. Claudia blushed from the roots of her hair to the scoop of her summer dress and grinned like a fool.

With a chuckle, José dragged them both up the hill toward the community feast. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m excited we’ll be going together to Cotopaxi Academy in the fall. I’m glad your Papi agreed at last, Anjie.

You mean my mother’s husband? Anjaline’s voice dripped sarcasm. She blanched when she caught sight of the man in question moving at a rapid pace toward them.  She hoped he hadn’t overheard.

Stephen Sutherland was six foot four, built like a wrestler and seemed to not only fill a room but push others out. Heavy set with a ruddy complexion, shaggy red hair and Scottish burr, he stood out from his Ecuadorian neighbours like a capybara in a family of marmosets. The picture would have made Anjaline laugh aloud if not for the seriousness on her stepfather’s face.

At first, she thought she had been discovered as a co-conspirator in Claudia’s petty action, yet the expression on his face was one of determination, not anger. Her heart sank into her shoes when she caught sight of her mother, cheeks wet, standing a few paces back.  Her stepfather’s gaze wandered briefly over José and Claudia before settling on Anjaline with a grimness that made her stomach hurt.

Before you go to the feast, he said in English, Yer Mama and I need to talk to you. It willna take long.

A sense of impending doom settled onto her shoulders but she straightened her spine and met his gaze squarely. Head thrown back and eyes narrowed she answered him in Spanish. Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of José and Claudia. And you can speak so they can understand you. With her rounded chin tilted up, her hands placed on her narrow waist and her legs spread wide she met his gaze with a challenge.

Out of the corner of her eye she caught Claudia’s confused expression. Yet it was José who whispered in her ear, Um, Anjie? It’s okay if Señor Sutherland needs to speak to you. We’ll just—

Claudia scuffed the toe of her shoe in the dust and tugged on José’s arm as the Sutherlands moved up the hill. Meet us at the feast! she called out before tucking her hand firmly in José’s and dragging him away.

A sense of abandonment tightened Anjaline’s chest before she turned and followed her stepfather. She glanced to her mother for some sign of what was going on, but the older woman avoided eye contact. Something was deeply wrong.

~2~

Changes

"We’re going where? For what?!" Anjaline stared up at her stepfather in disbelief, the sudden expulsion of the breath she had been holding making her a bit dizzy.

Please stop shouting Anjaline. The soft voice of her mother barely registered as she glared at her stepfather.

Anjaline swallowed the rising lump and turned on him. You’ve got to be kidding me! she shrieked in Spanish. You said I could go to Cotopaxi Academy in the fall. Instead you’re taking us to some remote, godforsaken—

Anjaline Charity Rodriguez, I’ve heard quite enough from you. No daughter o’ mine uses such language. And fer cryin’ out loud speak English! He paused as though collecting his thoughts and continued.  Now as I was saying, my supervisor called me last night and said I’ve been reassigned. Yeh knew this would happen one day. Travelling is a huge part o’ my job.  And this isna a family discussion.  I’m tellin’ yeh this so ye can be prepared, say goodbye to yer friends and get yer head on straight.  As soon as school is out fer the year we’re movin’ to Canada. Yer mami will homeschool yeh so yeh won’t fall behind.  Eventually yeh kin attend one of the nearby settlement schools.

Anjaline continued to gape at him, briefly struck mute. Fury rolled through her as she regarded him, resentment a living thing inside her. When she had regained her voice she shouted in English, "Just because my mother married you doesn’t make you my Papi. You’ll never be my real Papi.  So don’t even bother pretending you have any authority over me, Señor Sutherland!"

Through angry tears she caught the look of horror on her mother’s face.  A wave of guilt swept over her and she flushed in shame.  Stephen reared back as though he had been slapped and his eyebrows narrowed in fury.  Confused and hurting, Anjaline spun on her heel and ran out the door so quickly she nearly tripped over her sandals.

Anjaline!  Come back here right now! We’re no’ done here, lass!

Oh we’re done.  We are so done! Anjaline seethed as she raced back down the hill to the community hall where the feasting and dancing had already begun.

When at last she found José and Claudia breathing had become difficult and tears overwhelmed her. When she tried to speak but began to cry instead, they pulled her into the courtyard of the main dance hall. In the shadows a few stragglers wandered quietly by the fountain or kissed on benches half hidden by Pink Shower trees.

Anjaline’s chest exploded with pain at the thought of the large ornamental trees blossoming in July without her.  They would burst into cascades of dark pink blossoms and shower the ground with their delicate petals and she wouldn’t see it. The apple-scented air had stirred her senses for as long as she could remember. Her stomach hurt as she let her gaze fall on the delicate trunk of one nearby. What if I never see them again?  She sucked in a breath but it did nothing to stem the flow of tears.

Claudia pulled Anjaline down onto a bench and José planted himself stiffly on the other side. Is it your Abuela? she asked, referring to Anjaline and José’s only living grandparent. José paled at the question.

Anjaline noticed the look and hastily shook her head.  He sagged and released his breath in one quick puff.

Claudia looked to José for help as though unsure how to comfort her friend.

Awkwardly he rubbed Anjaline’s back until the sobs subsided. What’s happened, Anjie? How can we help?

His words only increased the feeling of helplessness and Anjaline stood quickly in defense, throwing her hands into the air with a moan of frustration.  There’s nothing anyone can do!  We’re leaving.  Señor Sutherland said so. She blinked to stem the flow of tears. A few slipped down her cheeks anyways.

Unconsciously mirroring her friend, Claudia jumped up and threw her hands into the air. You’re what?!  When did this happen?  How long will you be gone?

José said the dreaded words.  You’re leaving us for good, aren’t you, Anjie.  His eyes were dull and his thin shoulders slumped when she nodded slowly.

What? When? Why? Oh man...I have to sit down. Claudia appeared to be getting hysterical. 

Anjaline would have found it amusing if her own heart hadn’t been breaking.  We leave as soon as I finish school and before camp. There won’t be any Cotopaxi for me.  Señor Sutherland’s job is moving him to the West Coast of British Columbia.  I-I don’t have a choice.  He made that much very clear. Her eyes narrowed with the bitter finality of the statement. The lump in her throat was no longer due to sorrow but anger.  She didn’t have a choice, but she wouldn’t make it easy on her step-Papi.  Not by a long shot.

But Quito is your home!  Your mother’s home and your Abuela’s! For pity’s sake, Anjie, we’ve all been friends since we were born. You’ve never lived anywhere else. Claudia’s voice broke as she slid back onto the bench, her eyes downcast.

Anjaline sighed.  Claudia was just babbling and trying to make sense of things but being reminded of all she was giving up just frustrated Anjaline further.  She opened her mouth to make a smart remark but swallowed the words when José laid a hand on her shoulder.  She looked up and met his defeated gaze, her heart aching. I’m so sorry, you guys—really. I’ll write.  I promise.

Tears glittered on Claudia’s dark lashes and she shook her head.  You won’t write. You’ll forget about us and we’ll never see you again.  She stood and wrapped her arms around Anjaline, sobbing brokenly.

José just shook his head, the increasing darkness hiding his expression. Well, guess we should go enjoy the feast – since it’s going to be your last. His voice was low, as though he was struggling with tears himself.

Anjaline disentangled herself from Claudia’s embrace and nodded, grateful for family and friends like José and Claudia.  She was determined to write them often, but deep inside she sensed this would be the last time she would see either of them.  The thought brought physical pain.  Forcing a cheerful smile she moved between them and wrapped her arms around each of their waists. 

Come on guys.  The Three Musketeers have one final party to attend.

She heard Claudia sniffling beside her and swallowed hard as the annual fireworks show began in all its splendour.  As the night sky was set ablaze in orange, gold and red her soul quaked.  For the first time since being told they were leaving, she felt real fear.  Her whole life was about to change and she only had a few months to get used to the idea.  How could she leave Quito?  At this point she couldn’t even imagine leaving her family and friends, let alone the only home she had ever known.  How could any place or people replace Quito in her heart?

~*~*~

The school year went by much too quickly. Before she knew it, Anjaline was being paraded across a platform to accept her diploma along with the other grade eight students. Every well-meant ‘congratulations’ made her eyes sting as she tried not to think about the next day when she would say goodbye to her Abuela.  She had said goodbye to Claudia and José the night before and her bags were mostly packed.

Anjaline blamed the bright June sunshine for the tears streaming down her cheeks as familiar names and faces swam before her.  On the journey home she took deep breaths of the sweltering city air. Tomorrow she would journey beyond Ecuador’s borders for the first time ever.  Today she would cling to every memory she could.  For possibly the last time Anjaline opened the car window and tipped her face to the hot South American sun, eyes closed as a single tear slipped down her cheek.

~3~

Hope Valley

Icy rain pounded the weary travellers on the journey from Tilsonville to the tiny settlement in Owatu Inlet.  Anjaline wept softly and began to shiver as the rain became a steady drizzle, soaking through her inadequate spring jacket. When the small speedboat rounded the bend along the tree-lined mainland, Anjaline sighed heavily.

Welcome to Hope Valley! Karl Dettweiler said, throwing out his arms in excitement. The boat swayed dangerously.

Look out! Anjaline grasped the sides so tight her knuckles whitened.  She gave him a warning glare, imagining how cold the water would feel if they capsized.

Karl grinned as his gaze rested on the little village nestled beneath two ridges of the Coastal Mountains, with the Pacific Ocean in between. Though the motion made her even sicker, Anjaline sighed and turned her head to follow his gaze. One glance at the small collection of cottages half hidden among the trees and she snorted in derision.

You’re kidding me, right? There’s nothing here! Anjaline’s comment earned her an exasperated frown from her stepfather.  She ignored him but lowered her voice to avoid being scolded.  Arms crossed she scowled and leaned toward her mother.

For their driver’s benefit she switched to English before continuing. Where are the libraries, the stores, the art galleries? This isn’t a town.  It’s nothing but a settlement!  She missed the hustle and bustle of the big city in this too quiet place. What do the locals do for fun? Do they sit around and fish all day? Chop down trees? Maybe they